Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Super Star Schedules: Schedules for Classroom Staff

Daily schedules in the world of a special education classroom can be especially challenging because there are many moving parts! There are often multiple grade levels of students, different related service times, and multiple classroom staff members. Having a consistent schedule that is clearly communicated with staff and students is an essential foundational component of a well-run classroom!  

Today's Super Star Schedules post will use examples from around our region to illustrate the different stages of developing a schedule for classroom staff and clearly communicating so that everyone can implement the routine with consistency.



Step 1: Overview Schedule
The first step is to create a general outline of your schedule which outlines daily activities and at which times they occur. 
Taylor Anglin
Louise Troy Elementary, Dayton

Lia Andrix
Learning Center- West, MCESC

Courtney Pearce
Trotwood ELC, Trotwood

Phil Beresic
Ruskin Elementary, Dayton

Nicole Bellard
Fairview Elementary, Dayton

Granville Bastin
Twin Valley South, Preble County ESC



For older grades, this is often pre-determined through the school building's block schedule. 
Hayward Middle School, Springfield

Fairborn High School, Fairborn

Michelle Hiegel
Miami East Junior High, Miami East



Step 2: Detailed Schedule
The next step is to detail who is covering what during each time period and activity. For staff schedules, this often includes which student(s) they are working with. This is an important step because it ensures that staff know exactly who to be working with at a given time so that you can be sure all students have coverage at all times. 

Abbie Opdycke
Kenwood Elementary, Springfield

Christine Scarborough
Tecumseh Elementary, Xenia


Steve Mahle
Miamisburg Middle School, Miamisburg


Color-coding can make it easier visually for staff to follow the schedule.
Mandy Schetter
Northmoor Elementary, Northmont

Anjie Rose
Schnell Elementary, West Carrollton

Chris Stanley & Nick Moore
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Heidi Grumpp
Miami County CLC




Many teams also incorporate this detail into their daily Google Slide Schedules to communicate to staff and students who will be together during centers time. 
Jodi Schweikardt 
Kiser Elementary, Dayton

Tava Reese
West Carrollton ECC, West Carrollton

Mandi Haynes
Perrin Woods Elementary, Springfield



Step 3: Lesson Plans and Materials
The final step with schedule creation is using the detailed schedule to provide most explicit direction through a lesson plan which may detail specific activities that will be done during that given time. 
Amy Beanblossom
Arcanum-Butler Elementary, Arcanum

Heather Clark
Saville Elementary, Mad River

Polly Amspaugh
Roosevelt Elementary, Dayton

Brittany Wendling
Valley Elementary, Beavercreek

Jenna Fitch
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia



Many teams organize staff materials to align with the provided lesson plans in a predictable way so that everything needed is easily accessible to limit down time and waiting for students who need immediate engagement. 
Amy Beanblossom
Arcanum-Butler Elementary, Arcanum

Taylor Ruef
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville



Step 4: Staff Communication Corner
A "bonus" step that makes the schedule process even easier is creating a staff communication corner where extra schedules can be posted and schedule concerns can be communicated on a whiteboard or parking lot. This simple step can eliminate interruptions during the school day when staff need to know what to do next or notice an issue with the schedule because there is a consistent place where this information can be communicated. 
Molly Magoteaux
Kleptz Elementary, Northmont

Jamie Minnish
Prass Elementary, Kettering

Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville


Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Regulation Rendezvous: Reduce Student Overwhelm with a Calming Classroom Environment

The school environment is full of stimuli that can add to overwhelm for autistic learners and those with learning and sensory processing differences. When overwhelmed, it can be hard for them to learn, apply skills, and cooperate with calming sensory supports. To avoid overwhelm, teachers can take a proactive approach by setting up a classroom environment that is calming and welcoming for students so that they feel safe and ready to learn. Today's Regulation Rendezvous provides examples of how you can Reduce Student Overwhelm with a Calming Classroom Environment.


Lighting
Overhead florescent lights can add to overwhelm because they are bright and directly overhead which can cause a glare on materials and worksheets. Additionally, some individuals are especially sensitive to the "hum" or "buzz" of these lights as well as any flickering that may occur. 

Reduce student overwhelm by using indirect lighting such as natural light from windows, string lights, or lamps.
Overhead String Lights and Lamps
Ashley Holtz
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Light Cover
Tracey Cooper
Tecumseh, Clark ESC

Pendant Lights and Lamps
Jon Rowley
Smith Elementary, Oakwood

String Lights and Light Covers
Maggie Brackman
Northwood Elementary, Northmont



Visual Barriers
Items hanging on the wall, people walking around the classroom, and movement of staff and classmates can add to overwhelm because it can be visually distracting or even startle sensitive students. 

Reduce student overwhelm by using visual barriers such as dividers, study carrels, or individualized work spaces.

Portable Divider
Kathy Nance
Springfield

Student Work Space with Flexible Folding Mat Divider
Cindy Bowling
Dixie Elementary, New Lebanon

Portable Rolling Divider
Holly Smith
Nevin Coppock Elementary, Miami County ESC

Student Work Space With Physical Boundaries
Lauren Dickey
Indian Riffle Elementary, Kettering

Flexible Folding Mat Divider
Amanda McCormick
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Portable Rolling Divider
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Room Divider
Cassandra Hebauf
Northmoor Elementary, Northmont


Additionally, cover open storage, use consistent storage bins, and cover distracting items or displays within the classroom. 
Covered Interactive Whiteboard
Jackie Vollmer
Driscoll Elementary, Centerville

Anchor Chart Bulletin Board with Curtain Rod

Covered Phone with Flexible Folding Mat
Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Covered Storage
Taylor Ruef
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Student Covered with Blanket
Nicole Bellard
Fairview Elementary, Dayton



Classroom Calming Space
When extremely overwhelmed, a student's fight or flight reflex may be activated leading to aggressive behaviors, hiding, or eloping out of the classroom. 

Reduce student overwhelm by providing a safe, calming space within the classroom where students can go to escape overwhelming stimuli and regulate. 

 
Student Home Base/Safe Space
MaKynzie Lowery
Learning Center-West, MCESC

Classroom Calming Corner
MaKynzie Lowery
Learning Center-West, MCESC


Calming Classroom Environment Decor
Julia Millikin
Milton Union Elementary, Milton Union


Classroom Calming Spot
Kendra Krumpe
EJ Brown Middle School, Dayton

Wall Mural Station
Deanna Granroth
Wogaman Middle School, Dayton


For more information regarding calming classroom setup, check out our previous posts: